The French National Programme on Nutrition and Health (Programme national nutrition santé (PNNS)), the aim of which is to reduce nutritionrelated chronic diseases, necessitates monitoring of nutritional characteristics. Our objective was to describe dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status in a national sample of adults, especially according to current French recommendations. The study is based on a cross-sectional population-based survey using a multistage sampling design (Etude nationale nutrition santé (ENNS)). Between February 2006 and March 2007, 3115 18-74-year-old adults were included (participation rate 59·7 %). Energy, macronutrient and food consumption were estimated through three randomly distributed 24 h recalls, and compared to PNNS recommendations; physical activity was described using International Physical Activity Questionnaire guidelines; anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were assessed according to national and international references. When compared to current recommendations, intake of carbohydrates (. 50 % energy intake without alcohol: 26·4 %), SFA (, 35 % total lipids: 18·5 %) and total fibre (.25 g/d: 13·7 %) was frequently unsatisfactory. While overall consumption of 'meat, seafood and eggs' was satisfactory, that of fruits and vegetables ($400 g/d: 43·8 %) and seafood (two or more servings per week: 29·9 %) was frequently too low. The physical activity level was satisfactory at 63·2 %. Overweight was observed in 49·3 % of adults, while 30·9 % were hypertensive and 44·1 % had dyslipidaemia. Vitamin and iron-poor status was found to affect less than 10 % of the population. Based on the ENNS survey, overall nutrition remains a problem in France. Comparison of these data with those of other countries could contribute to a better understanding of variations in nutrition-related diseases.Nutritional surveys: Diet assessment: Physical activity: Biochemical markers: Adults Satisfactory diet, physical activity and nutritional status are recognized as major determinants of health. Many epidemiological studies have shown a significant association between nutrition and CVD, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes and other age-related diseases (1) . Healthcare expenses that could be spared through nutritional prevention, especially of obesity, are subject to debate (2) . Indeed, when obesity-related mortality is prevented and life expectancy increases, the cost of less lethal illnesses may also increase (3) . Nonetheless, prevention of diseases associated with nutrition remains a priority. Benefits in terms of health and life expectancy that could be expected from population intervention, via promotion of satisfactory nutrition, have been internationally published (1) and public health programmes have been widely implemented especially in Europe (4) .In France, in 2002, obesity-related costs were estimated at 2·1-6·2 billion euros, i.e. 1·5 -4·6 % of total health expenditures (5) . In 2005, over 155 000 people died from cancer and 149 000 from CVD (29·5 and 28·4 ...

Background: Identification of subpopulations at high risk of overweight and obesity is crucial for prevention and management of obesity in different socioeconomic status (SES) categories. The objective of the study was to describe disparities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity across socioeconomic status (SES) groups in 18-74 year-old French adults.

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